Cable retention method and apparatus for modular computer cabinets and the like

Abstract

A cable or wire (information bus, power supply, etc.) retention method and apparatus for modular computer cabinets and the like in which the cabinet frame end walls have notch-like voids. The preferred embodiment for a cable retainer has a frame member with two cantilever portions, which frame member is spot-welded to several struts at other (non-cantilever) portions. The top and bottom struts protrude the frame member, and are longer than the distance between the cabinet end walls. The cable retainer is connected to the cabinet by inserting one pivoting strut tip into a receiving hole and causing the cantilever portion nearest the receiving hole to deform (causing deeper penetration of the inserted tip) so that a clearance is obtained between the other pivot end and its corresponding receiving hole, prior to releasing the cable retainer. Insertion is completed by pivoting the cable retainer to an upright position to latch the latching ends in cabinet end wall grooves.

We claim: 
     
       1. A cable retention apparatus for retaining interconnect cables in a void of a cabinet, said cabinet having a first receiving hole and a second receiving hole, said cable retention apparatus comprising: a frame member having at least a first resilient cantilever position; and   at least a first strut connected to at least a point of said frame member, but not on said cantilever portion, said first strut protruding from said frame member;   said first strut terminating at a first tip and a second tip thereof;   wherein insertion of said cable retention apparatus is effected by inserting said first tip of said first strut into said first receiving hole in said cabinet, and applying pressure substantially normal to said first receiving hole upon said frame member at a point other than said cantilever portion to provide a clearance for said second tip of said first strut to fit into said second receiving hole in said cabinet, and releasing said frame member.   
     
     
       2. The cable retention apparatus in claim 1 further comprising: a second strut connected to at least a second point of said frame member, said second strut protruding said frame member;   said second strut terminating at a first tip and a second tip thereof;   wherein said first and second tips of said second strut serve as latch members to facilitate latching said cable retention apparatus to said cabinet.   
     
     
       3. The cable retention apparatus in claim 2 wherein said first and second struts are located near opposite ends of said frame member. 
     
     
       4. The cable retention apparatus in claim 2 wherein said first and second struts each connect to said frame member at a plurality of points. 
     
     
       5. The cable retention apparatus in claim 2 wherein a connection point between said frame member and said second strut defines a fixed end of said first resilient cantilever portion. 
     
     
       6. The cable retention apparatus in claim 1 wherein said first strut connects to said frame member at a plurality of points. 
     
     
       7. The cable retention apparatus in claim 1 wherein said frame member further comprises a second resilient cantilever portion, said second resilient cantilever portion located on a side of said frame member opposite said first resilient cantilever portion, and allowing insertion of said cable retention apparatus to start at either side of said frame member. 
     
     
       8. The cable retention apparatus in claim 7 wherein connection points between said frame member and said second strut define fixed ends of said first and second resilient cantilever portions. 
     
     
       9. The cable retention apparatus in claim 1 further comprising: a second strut connected to at least a second point of said frame member, said second strut protruding said frame member;   said second strut terminating at a first tip and a second tip thereof; and   a second resilient cantilever portion, said second resilient cantilever portion located on a side of said frame member opposite said first resilient cantilever portion, and allowing insertion of said cable retention apparatus to start at either side of said frame member;   wherein said first and second tips of said second strut serve as latch members to facilitate latching said cable retention apparatus to said cabinet, and connection points between said frame member and said second strut define the fixed ends of said first and second resilient cantilever portions.   
     
     
       10. A modular cabinet cluster comprising a plurality of cabinets, each said cabinet comprising an insertable and removeable cable retention apparatus for retaining interconnect cables in a void of said cabinet and having first and second receiving holes therein, said cable retention apparatus comprising: a frame member having at least a first resilient cantilever portion; and   at least a first strut connected to at least a point of said frame member, but not on sad cantilever portion, said first strut protruding from said frame member and terminating at first and second tips thereof;   wherein insertion of said cable retention apparatus is effected by inserting said first tip of said first strut into said first receiving hole in said cabinet, and applying pressure substantially normal to said first receiving hole upon said frame member at a point other than said cantilever portion to provide a clearance for said second tip of said first strut to fit into said second receiving hole in said cabinet, and releasing said frame member.   
     
     
       11. The modular cabinet cluster of claim 10 wherein said cable retention apparatus further comprises: a second strut connected to at least a second point of said frame member, said second strut protruding said frame member and terminating at first and second tips thereof;   wherein said first and second tips of said second strut serve as latch members to facilitate latching said cable retention apparatus to said cabinet.   
     
     
       12. The modular cabinet cluster in claim 11 wherein said first and second struts are located near opposite ends of said frame member. 
     
     
       13. The modular cabinet cluster in claim 11 wherein said first and second struts each connect to said frame member at a plurality of points. 
     
     
       14. The modular cabinet cluster in claim 11 wherein said frame member and said second strut are fastened together at a first common point and this first common point defines a fixed end of said first resilient cantilever portion. 
     
     
       15. The modular cabinet cluster in claim 10 wherein said frame member further comprises a second resilient cantilever portion, said second resilient cantilever portion located on a side of said frame member opposite said first resilient cantilever portion, and allowing insertion of said cable retention apparatus to start at either side of said frame member. 
     
     
       16. The modular cabinet cluster in claim 15 wherein said frame member and said second strut are fastened together at a second common point opposite to said first common point and this second common point defines a fixed end of said second resilient cantilever portion. 
     
     
       17. The modular cabinet cluster in claim 10 wherein said first strut connects to said frame member at a plurality of points. 
     
     
       18. The modular cabinet cluster in claim 10 wherein said cable retention apparatus further comprises: a second strut connected to at least a second point of said frame member, said second strut protruding from said frame member and terminating at first and second tips thereof; and   a second resilient cantilever portion, said second resilient cantilever portion located on a side of said frame member opposite said first resilient cantilever portion, and allowing insertion of said cable retention apparatus to start at either side of said frame member;   wherein said first and second tips of said second strut serve as latch members to facilitate latching said cable retention apparatus to said cabinet, and said connection points between said frame member and second strut define fixed ends of said first and second resilient cantilever portions.